Thonet #14, Bistro Chair

Continuing on from last week's explorations into bent wood, Michael Thonet's [wikipedia] process and deigns is worth looking into. And just so it happens, Co. Design wrote an article about the #14 chair this week, along with this video from YouTube.

Some images via Google Image Search.

Thonet pioneered the steaming process for softening and allowing the ending of beech wood. In the 1800s, he had undergone training as a joiner and start making cabinets at his workshop in Boppard - on the Rhine, in Germany. He started by laminating wood and veneers and gradually introduced his process of steam shaping.

#4

#13

One Chair'd High Table Chair (about 1900)

#1 - Child Rocking Chair

#91

#19

#12

#7

#9

#5

#17

[Images from www.thonet.it]

#1

[Image from Flickr]

#2

[image from Flickr]

Thonet Catalog from 1859

Thonet Catalog from 1867

Thonet Catalog from 1873

[Images from Au Bon Usage]

Extraordinary Qualities...

"... impart qualities that are extraordinary..." -- Bruce Hannah

Another bending exercise

It's hard for me to think about this exercise in terms of intangible properties as most of what I see and experienced with this exercise are focused on structural and aesthetic. Intention and perception would only be applicable when this material and process are applied to objects.

Hypothesis: Hierarchy of Material Importance in relation to the Body

Here's a simple diagram I drew up to summarize what I have come to understand over the past few months of research: Much more thought, in terms of the intangible properties - aesthetic, intention and perception, should be put into selecting the right materials, that must touch the body than materials that will be far away.

For example, the Jawbone Up! puts rubber in contact with the user's skin 24x7, it's uncomfortable and gets caught up in clothing. It's matte look is appealing, the rubber's intention may be to hold onto the arm/wrist in order to provide better movement measurement. Perception? The matte rubber (especially in black) in contrast with plastic painted with a metallic finish gives the device a jewelry-like appearance, therefore to the casual observer it's just another piece of decoration and not immediately a device that helps one keep track of physical activity.

Another example would be Walter De Maria's Broken Kilometer installation, where the brass rod in the back of the room, far away from the viewer, could be made of any material made to look like bronze.

Making Bends

Thesis and Furniture research collided this week as I needed to figure out a way to make curved surfaces. Years ago, I saw a guy at the Woodworker's Club make these amazing rocking chairs by laminating strips of wood together so I thought that would be a good place to start with me before I attempted to make compound surfaces like the Eames.

While I was feeding poplar boards through the band saw, I thought perhaps I could weave the poplar into the compound surfaces I need - much like basket weaving with flax. Of course, poplar is a lot more rigid so there would be gaps, but I thought I would give it a try anyway. Here's the result.

At first, I did not apply any glue to the weave so that I can manipulate the shape. I then started to use wood glue to lock in some of the shape. The process was slow so I eventually switched to 5 minute epoxy. As you can see, there is some kind of compound curved surface but the result are not ideal. A mold is definitely necessary.

I think I understand what the limitations are with poplar now and the next step I should do is to do this properly with a mold. However, since I have not finalized the shape of the desk, I think material choice is still up in the air.

Weaving Poul Kjærholm's PK20™, PK22™ and PK24™ Chairs on the Danish Island of Endelave

3D Printed iPhone Case

3D printing is inching closer to mass production of products. Here is an interesting iPhone Case I found this past weekend at the Apple Retail Store.

I like to browse the accessories section of the Apple Store for this precise reason… sometimes these surprise finds are so worthwhile. It appears the company, Fresh Fiber is really doing 3D printing justice by only producing cases that can only be 3D printed.

Their website is well worth a visit as well as they show off many more designs and colors. Here's one that I find fascinating.

I think this might be a product worthwhile looking more into. Perhaps I need to get a sample or two.

Plywood Exhibit at MoMA

Researching what Charles and Ray Eames ever said about materials earlier this week, I found out there is an plywood exhibit at MoMA. I think I have seen it before but they must have rearranged it and perhaps brought more artifacts in.

Much of the plywood manufacturing process was covered by the DIS program but the object that took me by surprise was this.

It is a study model the Eames had built when they were contracted by the US government to make parts for the CG-16 glider (Flying Flatcar).

This is interesting because plywood was used because metal was scarce in the war. Most online articles regarding this glider do not mention the Eames' participation, but it is documented in the Eames Primer and various websites talk about them. They created pilot seats, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, wheel doors, boom sections, and structural angles. The emphasis on control and accuracy int he production of these items influenced the design and construction of their later plywood projects.